Arterial Blood Gases (ABG's) questions with correct answers

What is an ABG? - Answer a measurement of the partial pressure of O2, CO2, pH, and HCO3 in arterial blood Who normally draws this bloodwork? Where is it drawn from? - Answer Respiratory therapists draw for this profile most commonly from the radial, brachial, and femoral arteries. What is acidosis? - Answer It is characterized by an abundance of H+ ions in the arterial blood, with a pH of less than 7.35. What are the acids? - Answer H+, CO2, and H2CO3 (carbonic acid) How are acids produced? - Answer They are produced during metabolic processes. How are acids excreted from the body? - Answer Some exit via the lungs; others are buffered and excreted via kidneys. What is alkalosis? - Answer It is characterized by a decrease of H+ ions in the arterial blood, with a pH of more than 7.45. What are the bases? - Answer HCO3 (bicarbonate) What is a buffer? - Answer A chemical substance that reduces changes in systemic pH by either releasing or binding H+ ions. It is considered to be a moment by moment regulation.